“Age ain’t nothin’ but a number, gettin’ down ain’t nothin but a thang;” so simple, so straight-forward, so smooth – so very extra smooth. At 14, Aaliyah set the foundation for a theme that would resonate through her career. Aaliyah was (forgive the overused terminology, but) subterranean silk sleeper swag: well-versed within the R&B/Hip-Hop arenas – though never breaking to Beyonce or Alicia Keys status (which added to her persona – she wasn’t a diva, she was fierce just being Babygirl), enlisting on the likes of two unknowns: Missy Elliott and Tim Mosely (Google them, I think they’ve got some independent tracks on YouTube) after working with the 90s R&B staple, R. Kelly, smooth vocals – not overbearing but instrumental in her signature harmonies – and so incredibly laid back in a take-it-or-leave-it way. Her classic “street but sweet” aura personified the era of urban contemporary music. Forever under the lingering shadow of controversial marriage rumors, her age was nothin but a number indeed; and forever in the midst of an unfaltering ability to effortlessly exude – and be the essence of – urban contemporary culture meant gettin down (and making music for you to get down to) was nothin but a thang.
This one was supposed to be easy. A new album from a star as bright as Beyonce is supposed to sell itself. Albums like 4, are more akin to moments in time that will define the era perfectly in retrospect, than just 14 mastered tracks on a disc.
Wise Blood aka Christopher Laufman is already a star–you just don’t know it yet. This past Summer, the Pittsburgh born musician released a free EP entitled `+`, that garnered him recognition across the Blogosphere. Fader loved it, Stereogum loved it, Even Pitchfork jumped on dubbing him a ‘rising star.’ With a unique sound that is comparable only to a brooding wrestling match with Girl Talk, Queen, Gucci Mane and a bunch of bass.
By day the 21-year old, who turned down Julliard to be a pop star, works in a cemetery as an undertaker. By night he’s Wise Blood, the pop star, crafting sample based pop perfection influenced by everyone from Madonna to Slim Thug. Today, Wise Blood has inked a deal with Dovecote Records to release his next project. Art Nouveau Magazine caught up with Laufman from his new home in NYC to talk about pop music, samples, Britney Spears and why on earth he turned down a scholarship to Julliard to be a pop star.
Many of you probably dont know but Bjork is a huge inspiration to me even tho I mainly spit flows. I wish to be more expressive like Bjork in my music. She’s one of the most diverse,talented, and interesting artists I’ve ever seen with longevity in the game, plus she does whatever the hell she wants to do with her art. Even though I know she’s been around forever I got put on to her music a couple years ago by my friend Faa and I’m so glad she shared Bjork’s music with me cuz it changed my life.In honor of Bjork I wanted to share this “Freestyle” I recorded over the Innocence beat from her Volta album. Check it out.
Back in 08, when Timbaland was raving about the work he did for Madonna's Hard Candy he kept mentioning a collaboration with Justin Timberlake called "Across The Sky" that never made the album.
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If you were in Atlanta last weekend and didn’t make it out to “Drip,” the launch party for The-Socials.com you missed out. Click here to see what you missed. And now you can hear what you missed. Download the official mixtape, mixed by Art Nouveau Magazine Editor in Chief Kendrick Daye. The mix features mixes of Lady Gaga, Roisin Murphy, Rye Rye, David Guetta, Peaches, and more. It’s not the entire dance revolution that was heard at the party, but it’s close enough. Download link and tracklisting below.
Download: An-Mag.com & The-Socials.com present “Drip: The Mixtape”
Tracklisting:
1. Rye Rye – Bang Bang (Stanton Warriors Remix)
2. David Guetta & Wynter Gordon – Toyfriend
3. Corinne Stevie & M.I.A. – Club_Kidz (GotDion Remix)
4. Peaches – Serpentine
5. Ludacris feat Ciara & Pitbull – How Low (Remix)
6. Britney Spears – 3 (DubStep Remix)
7. 8Ball & MJG – Relax & Take Notes
8. Kanye West & Sade- Say You Will/Cherish The Day (Mashup)
9. Sade – Soldier of Love
10. Rihanna feat Young Jeezy – Hard
11. Noise Porn starring Koohl Cardi, Ben Carson & Corinne Stevie – Noise Porn
12. Ms. Jade & Corinne Stevie- Better Get That (Remix)
13. Lady Gaga & Beyonce- Telephone (Remix)
14. Timbaland feat Justin Timberlake & Twista – Telephone (Remix)
15. Rihanna – Sexuality
16. Roisin Murphy – Let Me Know
17. LMFAO – I Am Not A Whore
18. Solange – Would Have Been The One
19. Theopilus London – Always Love U
20. Kelis – Acapella
21. J*DaVeY – Duh Duh Duh
22. Basement Jaxx feat Maleka, Kelis & Chipmunk – Scars
23. David Guetta feat Kid Cudi – Memories
24. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (Chew Fu Remix)
Here’s the latest video from Timbaland, this time with the lovely Katy Perry.
Read MoreThe latest from Colombian singer Shakira. This is for her song “Give It Up To Me.” It features Lil’ Wayne. Read More
This is a new track from Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson and Jay-Z. After hearing this track, I’m amped for Shock Value 2. Listen and download it below. Read More
This is the winning video for Bjork’s recent fan video contest. The video is great.
This track by Drake, produced by Timbaland is supposedly a leak off the producer’s upcoming album Shock Value 2.
Fall is bittersweet for me. On one hand there are big albums dropping every week and the other it’s almost winter. I hate winter. But this fall’s lineup is looking interesting. Here are the albums I can’t wait to get in my iTunes.
